Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant cells form in the soft tissues of the body. The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and tissues around joints. There are many types of soft tissue sarcoma. The cells of each type of sarcoma look different under a microscope, based on the type of soft tissue in which the cancer began.

Having certain inherited disorders can increase the risk for this form of cancer including retinoblastoma, tuberous sclerosis, Werner syndrome, and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Other risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma include past treatment with radiation therapy for certain cancers, exposure to certain chemicals, such as thorium dioxide, vinyl chloride, or arsenic, and lymphedema in the arms or legs for a long time.

In 2024, some 13,590 people in the United States will be diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma and approximately 5,200 will die of the disease, according to estimates from the National Cancer Institute. The five-year relative survival rate is 65.9%.

Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute